‘The Penguin’ | A Perfect Pilot Episode | Review

The Penguin

Where to Watch: MAX

Created By:

Lauren LeFranc

Starring:

Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz

Genre:

Crime, Drama, Fantasy

Rated TV-MA

All media courtesy of MAX

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — It’s been close to 3 years since the debut of Robert Pattinson’s take on the Caped Crusader, but Batman’s cowl will have to stay in the cave because Oswald Cobbelpot, AKA “The Penguin”, is ready to take the stage in his series now on MAX.

Quick disclaimer; I only have seen the first episode, and this is only a review for that. I am not a fan of reviewing full TV shows when you haven’t seen the show in its entirety, so look out for a full series wrap-up once “The Penguin” airs its last episode to see how it holds up.

Colin Farrell returns as Penguin, now seeing a shot at leading Gotham’s criminal underground and wanting to take what’s his. He will have to fight with warring factions, ghosts of his past, and a competitor for the throne. That competitor, Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti) is newly released from Arkham Asylum, and looking for the person who tore her family apart, which Cobblepot is at the center of.

Dark, gritty, violent, and even funny at times, “The Penguin” episode 1 is the best pilot episode I’ve seen in years. Not only is the creator Lauren LeFranc seamlessly integrating into “The Batman”, but she’s enhanced it with a TV-MA tone that we’ve never seen in DC Film or Television. The writing is superb, and the score done by Mick Giacchino, son of acclaimed composer of “The Batman” Michael Giacchino, is fantastic.

We have to give a shoutout to the prosthetic team, as well as the hair and makeup department, that transforms Colin Farrell into The Penguin. Lisa Lustmann and Michael Marino, as well as many others, are delivering breathtaking work to the small screen that even in one episode should guarantee them awards consideration.

The entire series hinges on the believability of Colin Farrell as “Oz Cobb”. The show’s opening scene easily does this, with Oz telling the story of a gangster he admires. “Can you Imagine? To be remembered like that? Revered?” Penguin is desperate for control and power in his life where he’s only been fed scraps.

Farrell gives an empathetic and desperate performance and completely disappears into the character. From his physicality to the voice work, we’re experiencing Oz Cobb’s ascension into a bolder, braver mentality to keep him climbing to the top. But he has an equal or greater adversary, and it’s not the Bat.

Cristin Milioti as Sofia Falcone easily matches Colin Farrell’s performance, giving us a real wild card villain you cannot anticipate, but fear because of her intuition. Her mission to find justice by any means is a sign of much more to come, and how this episode ends only further sets up an incredible story between her and Oz Cobb. I love her mannerisms, and the use of those big eyes to sell that manic fear she brings.

Overall, I can say confidently I am hooked on this show and cannot wait to see what comes next. This is TV-MA, so put those kids to bed because it is certainly not for them. Great performances, a captivating story, and shocking twists, “The Penguin” is absolutely a See It.

See It or Skip It? See It

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